BFA 2013: In Perspective

Kristy Lopez

Doris Cacoilo

May 13, 2013

Final Project

Project Homepage

 WHAT: I wanted to make a online gallery of the process work that goes on behind the Bachelor's in Fine Arts Final Thesis. Included in the process is what they used to make their work, what their environment is like, what attitude they take towards it, and how they promote their upcoming show. In the installation, I wanted to document what challenges they faced in displaying, especially when displaying with other artists. I was curious to see if any shows worked together in their display, had a common theme (which I found one) or are completely segregated. The logistics of hanging a show while still working on the pieces for the show can be overwhelming and lead to the release of the artist's "true colors". 

 WHY:  As an art history student, I do not got through this process. So, it is fascinating for me to be a bystander, and I am truly amazed at the determination of my peers to manifest their ideas. I think each student has been in art school to make it to this point, and not enough attention is paid to this milestone. As an training art teacher, something I have observed is an artist's craving for attention. All artists are undoubtedly looking to express themselves through art; whether it be an idea, an aesthetic, a fantasy, or a comforting habit - art making is personal and sharing art contradicts that. I think art students are seeking the attention of their viewers, waiting for the "good job" or the suggestions for improvement, or a "wow!" effect. To have your personal experience always be judged is an intimidating lifestyle. I think getting to the root of the person - what makes them who they are - is remarkably interesting in understanding what kind of work they are doing. While is isn't necessary to appreciate "good" art - it makes the art community at NJCU that much more inviting to incoming art students and alumni.  I am also purposely not putting the year in the links because I am leaving this project open for continuation next year. If someone else takes this project over, it will consist of multiple BFAs.

As I concentrated on the significance of perspective within this project, I noticed that many of the students had integrated their home or familiar life in to their work. Liz grew up around the military and notions of power; Sam made posters for the campus life - promoting the community; Jena's aunt passed away from which stimulated her to make information graphics on Cancer; Melida grew up with a loving elephant who stayed within her thoughts, her ode to Mocosita led to studies on elephants family life and everlasting memory; Philip was deeply affected by the passing of his grandmother and aunt's, for whom he owes his inspiration to and to their passion for needlecrafting; Michael photographed his shift from living in one home's environment to the next; After Maha moved from Egypt to the US, she was able to experience different cultures that she felt were related to her own, among those were Korean. Saira's love for the industrial environment attracted her to the ever-changing qualities of living in the city.; Marysol's love for photography stemmed from her father's encouragement. This series of work focused on abuse, primarily child abuse, taken place in a young girl's bedroom of her home.; Jennifer had found a photo of her mother with her face scribbled over and felt guilty even though she had not done it. By restoring the faces in her series, Jenn is healing the tarnished image and relationship that had existed. These relationships usually "hit-home."; Gabriella's work depicts women's self-image. These images of the female body recall the phrase "my body is a temple," which address a more personal view of home. Sarah is baffled by how often our society turns a blind eye to the vast devastation we make to our planet, our only home. While concretizing this in her work, she dedicated her creativity to her recently passed Father, who always encouraged her to be creative; Marla brought her roots from Ecuador in to her work. The cobblestone streets are symbolized in her stone path rings, and the Ecuadorian cosmological imagery is pierced in to her metal bowls (bowls also resembling a womb, similar to Melida's womb like bowls).; Leona lived in Israel for half her life, and in the States for the other half. Her works consists of the struggles of adapting to Israel and finding solace away in the States. Her memories are nestled within an idealized room in a home, where she can dream peacefully.

While some of these speculations may sound like a stretch, I believe these artists have exhibited something close to home for them.
In the following video, I have illustrated my speculations.


HOME | BFA 2013: In Perspective from BFA 2013: In Perspective on Vimeo.

WHEN and WHO: 

exhibition dates 

BFA exhibitions

Exhibition dates	Student Artists
3/4	Elizabeth J. Harney
3/25	Samantha Masinsin Jena Marie Mirkovic
4/1	Melida Rodas-Cora
4/8	Philip D’Martino Michael Molina
4/15	Maha Attia Saira Anum
4/22	Marysol Santana Jennifer Vazquez
4/29	Gabriella Chavez Sarah Wentz
5/6	Marla Pazmino Leona Strassberg-Steiner
5/13	Elisa Guzzi Jay Angeles

All Exhibitions located at the VAB Gallery, Visual Arts Building, 100 Culver Avenue

Footage will be shot and exchanged as arrangements permit. 

 HOW:  I connected with all the students participated using various forms of technology to acquire media of them in the process of their work, the installation of the work, and the opening night. I have retrieved all the media available to me through email, USB drive, Dropbox. Arrangements were made in person, through text/email, word of mouth, and chance to shoot and exchange media. 

 WHERE:
All the selected media is being exhibited on online sources and intended to be printed for a catalog. Videos and Vine Videos are being uploaded on to the Vimeo Channel Website for BFA In Perspective at: http://vimeo.com/bfainperspective 

All media is to be posted on the homepage hosted by  tumblr: http://bfainperspective.tumblr.com/

Planning for the future:  I will coordinate with a graphic designer peers to supervise the creation of a catalogue that represents each artist, with their artist statement and images of their journey. The catalogue is intended to have approx 36 pages. At http://www.printpelican.com/catalog-5-8.html The quote goes as follows….

For a quantity of 100  5.5 x 8.5 sized catalogues, saddle stitched, no fancy paper, and with a 35% discount…

The intended release date is TBA in the Fall 2013 Semester

The price to raise through fundraising will be $500. The extra $50 I'm sure will get used up in something. 

Fundraising is as of now being done door-to-door style. I need to still arrange a flyer to potentially put in all of the art faculty's mail boxes, and have a steady donation drop off for professors who want to donate but can not meet up with me. My goal is to have a reliable drop off in the Visual Arts Building lobby or office. Perhaps even at a cooperating professor's office.